Hello. We have a Transcend 260RB that we use solely boondocking on a piece of property we own on Lake Michigan. We have very simple power needs while we are there and due to my lack of mechanical or electrical abilities, needed simple solutions for electricity. In the beginning, it was easy - get a generator. However, we don't like bothering our neighbors by running for extended periods of time and needed to find solutions to help us get some power without running the generator a whole bunch. I will start with the charger and inverter install and will provide other ways that we have powered other items. Let me first say that my knowledge of electricity ends at the ability to change a light switch or electrical outlet and hook red wire to red terminal and black wire to black terminal on the battery and I was NOT about to try and mess with the factory electrical system lest I blow something up... This project only took a few hours to complete with minimal tools and minimal modification to any part of the camper and needed to be able to be done in a remote area. It took much more time to think through the simple design and research products.
I have 200ah of battery power on the front of the camper from two Battle Born lithium batteries. I was looking for the fastest way to recharge them to minimize the time needed to run the generator. I also wanted to get some AC power to charge laptops in the camper without having to run the generator, so also added the inverter.
The list of items for the project:
60 amp lithium battery charger with AC plug power supply - this was the highest power I could get to plug into the regular electrical outlet in the utility bank in the pass through storage.
AmazonSmile: Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV 12V Lithium Ion Battery Converter/Charger - 60 Amp: Automotive
Pure sine wave inverter (I chose 2000W which was more than what was needed but for the small upcharge over smaller ones, was worth it
AmazonSmile: Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Battery Converter, ETL Listed with Built-in 5V/2.1A USB port,and AC Hardwire Port Solar Power Inverter
Short wires to connect charger to battery
AmazonSmile: Spartan Power 4 AWG Battery Cable Set - Many Lengths, Comes in 5/16" or 3/8" Ring Terminals (3 ft, 5/16" Ring Terminals): Automotive
Wires to bring battery power into the pass thru storage through the utility hole in the floor of the pass through storage.
Spartan Power 2 AWG 15 Foot Alligator Clamp Battery Cable Set with 5/16" Ring Terminals
Desktop power grommet for simple outlet in camper. I chose this one because of the USB C option for connection to laptops
AmazonSmile: Desktop Power Grommet with USB C,Recessed Power Strip,PD USB-C Power Strip with 6ft Long Extension Cord,Flush-Mount Power Grommet with 2 Outlets and 2 USB: Electronics
Hole saw to cut hole in wall between pass through storage and bedroom nightstand to install the power grommet. This was the scariest thing I had to do as I was now creating damage to camper if it went wrong! It worked and looks professional in the nightstand in the bedroom.
AmazonSmile: Lenox Tools - 1772964 LENOX Tools Bi-Metal Speed Slot Arbored Hole Saw with T3 Technology, 3-1/8": Home Improvement
Power distribution bars to connect charger, inverter and wires from the battery. One for the red wires, one for the black wires.
AmazonSmile: Cllena 5/16" 4 Stud Power Distribution Block 48V 300A M8 Post Battery Junction Block Heavy Duty Bus Bar for Car Rv Truck Marine Boat Vehicles: Automotive
Cable ties to keep things tidy
AmazonSmile: 50 Pcs Black Cable Tie Base Saddle Type Mount Wire Holder, Cable Zip Ties with Self-Locking 6 Inch & 0.145 Inch,#8 x 0.6 Inch Deep Thread Pan Head Screws Black: Electronics
A few short wood screws to mount the charger and inverter.
Cardboard - to create templates to easily drill pilot holes to mount the charger, inverter, and inverter controller.
MacGyver swiss army knife to saw the opening for the inverter controller in the bedroom nightstand wall. Second scariest thing I had to do, again potential wall damage!
Drill for hole saw, pilot holes, etc. and of course a screwdriver, wrench and socket for locking down screws nuts and bolts.
After a few hours of simple work:
This is the non-entry door side of the camper in the pass through storage with the utility center to the right. The back of the power outlet grommet is seen on the pass thru storage compartment wall near the the top right corner of the compartment door on the entry door side of the camper.
Steps:
1. Decide where to mount the charger and inverter to allow enough room to work, attach wires, and easily access all the outlets, switches, etc. on the charger and inverter. The charger has a short power cord that I can easily plug into the AC outlet on the utility center in the pass through storage.
2. Mount the inverter and charger. I made cardboard templates to drill pilot holes for the screws so that I could minimize the amount of time I was laying on my back holding the item while tightening the screws. I screwed in the screws partially for one side of the inverter (for example) so that I could use them to support the inverter while I screwed in the screws on the other side, and then fully tightened all the screws.
3. Mount the power distribution bars in a convenient place to connect all the wires together.
4. Attach the wires from the inverter and charger. Also, run the wires that will attach to the batteries through the utility hole in the floor of the pass through storage and connect to the distribution bars. Ensure all red wires are on one bar and all black wires are on the other bar!!!!!! Do not connect the wires to the battery yet!
5. Decide where to mount the grommet and inverter controller in camper. I mounted them one above the other on the nightstand wall.
6. Cut hole for power grommet though wall to storage compartment. Note that there are two sheets of thin plywood, one on the nightstand and one on the storage compartment wall.
7. Cut hole for inverter controller. I used a piece of cardboard to make a template and drilled a pilot hole, then used the saw on the swiss army knife to cut the hole for the controller on the nightstand wall only. Then drill a hole in the storage wall big enough to pass the controller wire through (looks like a phone line)
8. Install grommet, passing power wire through holes and tighten the backer holding screw ring on the grommet in the storage compartment. Once installed, it looks very professional.
9. Install inverter controller, passing wire through hole into storage compartment. Leave excess wire in void in wall. Once installed, it looks very professional.
10. Plug grommet into an AC outlet on the inverter. Plug controller wire into inverter.
11. Use zip ties with bases to make the wires tidy.
12. Attach battery wires to battery. I chose to take the alligator clamps off the wires (they bolted on and had rings for bolts) and attach the wires directly to the battery, red on one battery, black on the other battery. But there if flexibility on how someone might want to do the attaching. When we leave, I take off the wires and pull them through the utility hole back into the storage bay for safe keeping.
That's all there was to it.
Other ways that we have been able to meet power needs:
AmazonSmile: Free Signal TV Transit 32" 12 Volt DC Powered LED Flat Screen HDTV for RV Camper and Mobile Use: Electronics
We have a DC powered Free Signal TV and watch TV connected to IPad. There is a storage cabinet below the TV mount and I drilled a hole in the top of the cabinet to run the power cable from the TV into the storage cabinet. There I have a 50 ah lithium battery with a female cigarette lighter adapter attached to the battery which the TV, or any other number of things can be powered through. That battery is also hooked to an AC charger plugged into the AC outlet behind the TV that charges the battery anytime the camper is running off the generator.
We also have a generous neighbor that allows us to tap into their internet signal. I bought a DC powered wifi booster that allows us to have constant internet access using the 50ah battery. It is on all day long and draws very little power.
AmazonSmile: Halo Long Range Marine & RV Wi-Fi Extender System: Computers & Accessories
I hope that helps some other non-mechanically inclined folks out there!
I have 200ah of battery power on the front of the camper from two Battle Born lithium batteries. I was looking for the fastest way to recharge them to minimize the time needed to run the generator. I also wanted to get some AC power to charge laptops in the camper without having to run the generator, so also added the inverter.
The list of items for the project:
60 amp lithium battery charger with AC plug power supply - this was the highest power I could get to plug into the regular electrical outlet in the utility bank in the pass through storage.
AmazonSmile: Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV 12V Lithium Ion Battery Converter/Charger - 60 Amp: Automotive
Pure sine wave inverter (I chose 2000W which was more than what was needed but for the small upcharge over smaller ones, was worth it
AmazonSmile: Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Battery Converter, ETL Listed with Built-in 5V/2.1A USB port,and AC Hardwire Port Solar Power Inverter
Short wires to connect charger to battery
AmazonSmile: Spartan Power 4 AWG Battery Cable Set - Many Lengths, Comes in 5/16" or 3/8" Ring Terminals (3 ft, 5/16" Ring Terminals): Automotive
Wires to bring battery power into the pass thru storage through the utility hole in the floor of the pass through storage.
Spartan Power 2 AWG 15 Foot Alligator Clamp Battery Cable Set with 5/16" Ring Terminals
Desktop power grommet for simple outlet in camper. I chose this one because of the USB C option for connection to laptops
AmazonSmile: Desktop Power Grommet with USB C,Recessed Power Strip,PD USB-C Power Strip with 6ft Long Extension Cord,Flush-Mount Power Grommet with 2 Outlets and 2 USB: Electronics
Hole saw to cut hole in wall between pass through storage and bedroom nightstand to install the power grommet. This was the scariest thing I had to do as I was now creating damage to camper if it went wrong! It worked and looks professional in the nightstand in the bedroom.
AmazonSmile: Lenox Tools - 1772964 LENOX Tools Bi-Metal Speed Slot Arbored Hole Saw with T3 Technology, 3-1/8": Home Improvement
Power distribution bars to connect charger, inverter and wires from the battery. One for the red wires, one for the black wires.
AmazonSmile: Cllena 5/16" 4 Stud Power Distribution Block 48V 300A M8 Post Battery Junction Block Heavy Duty Bus Bar for Car Rv Truck Marine Boat Vehicles: Automotive
Cable ties to keep things tidy
AmazonSmile: 50 Pcs Black Cable Tie Base Saddle Type Mount Wire Holder, Cable Zip Ties with Self-Locking 6 Inch & 0.145 Inch,#8 x 0.6 Inch Deep Thread Pan Head Screws Black: Electronics
A few short wood screws to mount the charger and inverter.
Cardboard - to create templates to easily drill pilot holes to mount the charger, inverter, and inverter controller.
MacGyver swiss army knife to saw the opening for the inverter controller in the bedroom nightstand wall. Second scariest thing I had to do, again potential wall damage!
Drill for hole saw, pilot holes, etc. and of course a screwdriver, wrench and socket for locking down screws nuts and bolts.
After a few hours of simple work:
This is the non-entry door side of the camper in the pass through storage with the utility center to the right. The back of the power outlet grommet is seen on the pass thru storage compartment wall near the the top right corner of the compartment door on the entry door side of the camper.
Steps:
1. Decide where to mount the charger and inverter to allow enough room to work, attach wires, and easily access all the outlets, switches, etc. on the charger and inverter. The charger has a short power cord that I can easily plug into the AC outlet on the utility center in the pass through storage.
2. Mount the inverter and charger. I made cardboard templates to drill pilot holes for the screws so that I could minimize the amount of time I was laying on my back holding the item while tightening the screws. I screwed in the screws partially for one side of the inverter (for example) so that I could use them to support the inverter while I screwed in the screws on the other side, and then fully tightened all the screws.
3. Mount the power distribution bars in a convenient place to connect all the wires together.
4. Attach the wires from the inverter and charger. Also, run the wires that will attach to the batteries through the utility hole in the floor of the pass through storage and connect to the distribution bars. Ensure all red wires are on one bar and all black wires are on the other bar!!!!!! Do not connect the wires to the battery yet!
5. Decide where to mount the grommet and inverter controller in camper. I mounted them one above the other on the nightstand wall.
6. Cut hole for power grommet though wall to storage compartment. Note that there are two sheets of thin plywood, one on the nightstand and one on the storage compartment wall.
7. Cut hole for inverter controller. I used a piece of cardboard to make a template and drilled a pilot hole, then used the saw on the swiss army knife to cut the hole for the controller on the nightstand wall only. Then drill a hole in the storage wall big enough to pass the controller wire through (looks like a phone line)
8. Install grommet, passing power wire through holes and tighten the backer holding screw ring on the grommet in the storage compartment. Once installed, it looks very professional.
9. Install inverter controller, passing wire through hole into storage compartment. Leave excess wire in void in wall. Once installed, it looks very professional.
10. Plug grommet into an AC outlet on the inverter. Plug controller wire into inverter.
11. Use zip ties with bases to make the wires tidy.
12. Attach battery wires to battery. I chose to take the alligator clamps off the wires (they bolted on and had rings for bolts) and attach the wires directly to the battery, red on one battery, black on the other battery. But there if flexibility on how someone might want to do the attaching. When we leave, I take off the wires and pull them through the utility hole back into the storage bay for safe keeping.
That's all there was to it.
Other ways that we have been able to meet power needs:
AmazonSmile: Free Signal TV Transit 32" 12 Volt DC Powered LED Flat Screen HDTV for RV Camper and Mobile Use: Electronics
We have a DC powered Free Signal TV and watch TV connected to IPad. There is a storage cabinet below the TV mount and I drilled a hole in the top of the cabinet to run the power cable from the TV into the storage cabinet. There I have a 50 ah lithium battery with a female cigarette lighter adapter attached to the battery which the TV, or any other number of things can be powered through. That battery is also hooked to an AC charger plugged into the AC outlet behind the TV that charges the battery anytime the camper is running off the generator.
We also have a generous neighbor that allows us to tap into their internet signal. I bought a DC powered wifi booster that allows us to have constant internet access using the 50ah battery. It is on all day long and draws very little power.
AmazonSmile: Halo Long Range Marine & RV Wi-Fi Extender System: Computers & Accessories
I hope that helps some other non-mechanically inclined folks out there!
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